Just a friendly reminder that the introductory price of $97 on Optimal Shoulder Performance: From Rehabilitation to High Performance ends tonight at midnight - when the price goes up by $30. This DVD set has been getting some awesome feedback, so don't miss out on this last chance to get it at a an awesome value:
www.ShoulderPerformance.com
"Mike and Eric do an incredible job of making sense out of complex information and research without watering it down a bit. I not only left the seminar with a better understanding of the functional work that all the muscles of the shoulders do, but also with plenty of new tools to put into my own program along with the knowledge to know when and why to use them. It was worth every penny, which I'm sure comes as no surprise to anyone fortunate enough to have learned from these guys previously."
Jon Hudak MS, CSCS
Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
With the recent release of Mike Reinold and my Optimal Shoulder Performance DVD Set, I thought it'd be a good time to list of a few more reasons to pick up a copy of this thorough resource.
1. The presentations in this DVD set not only outline the differences in shoulder conditions among ordinary lifting populations, sedentary folks, and overhead throwing athletes - but it also outlines different ways to manage these individuals.
2. When you consider annual salaries and signing bonuses, collectively, Mike and I manage over $1 billion in professional baseball shoulders annually. If that doesn't put your shoulder programs to the test, nothing will.
(just signed a 4-year, $68 million contract....Beckett, not Mike - sorry, Mike)
3. My second presentation of the day - Training the Injured Shoulder During- and Post-Rehabilitation - discusses what folks with different shoulder conditions CAN do in the weight room in spite of their shoulder issues. This makes OSP a great resource for personal trainers, strength and conditioning coaches, and fitness enthusiasts concerned with maintaining a training effect without exacerbating shoulder symptoms.
4. You'll put down your blanky and stop demanding a MRI for everything, because my first presentation of the day will demonstrate that diagnostic imaging like MRIs and x-rays are just one piece of a diagnostic puzzle that should include specific movement evaluations.
5. You'll learn why the term "shoulder tendinitis" is usually a load of crap.
6. As you probably know, the Red Sox and Yankees don't get along too well.
So, when a Red Sox staff member gives a talk so good that a Yankees organization staff member shows him some love, that's a pretty good feather in your product's cap:
"I attended this seminar with high hopes of learning more about the 'baseball shoulder' from two different approaches of the sports medicine and performance community. This seminar not only exceeded my expectations, but more importantly, took 'one huge leap' toward bridging the gap between two different communities (physical therapy/athletic training and strength and conditioning) that have the same common goal: to get athletes on the field of play and keep them there. These two highly-intelligent leaders of their respective fields have a great sense of evidence-influenced practice, and maybe more importantly, have an innate ability to readily and effectively communicate their knowledge. Thanks to Eric and Mike, this seminar was momentous in the on-going mission of creating a 'common language' for those working in the performance-based fields. I encourage any and all members of the performance fields to invest in the DVDs of this seminar and attend any seminar Mike and Eric put on. I promise you will learn something valuable every single time you have the opportunity to listen to either of them because they are constantly learning, studying, and changing - all great signs of any leader of any field."
Scott DiFrancesco, ATC, CSCS
Minor League Athletic Trainer - New York Yankees
7. You'll learn how to screen for congenital laxity and modify shoulder training in its presence.
8. Both Mike and I have been featured in The Boston Globe and The Boston Herald for our unique training methods. Check these two examples out:
This Joint is Jumping (Mike)
Custom Body Shop (Eric)
9. These DVDs will make you realize that true symmetry in the human body is likely a complete myth, particularly in the context of throwing shoulders.
10. You'll learn the most effective rotator cuff exercises, some of which I guarantee you won't have seen before - so they'll also keep your training "fresh."
11. Mike was formerly the Facility Director of Champion Sports Medicine and the Coordinator of Rehabilitative Research & Clinical Education at the American Sports Medicine Institute in Birmingham, AL. That means he rehabbed a lot of big time athletes and did a lot of big-time research. I, on the other hand, am best known for my charming wit, ravishingly good looks, and entertaining personality.
12. You'll appreciate that simply repositioning the scapula can dramatically impact rotator cuff function to enable you to achieve personal bests you never thought were possible on 1-rep max rotator cuff exercises:
Okay, maybe there won't be any 1RMs featured, but we will talk about the importance of scapular positioning with respect to cuff function.
13. You'll learn about the different types of impingement, how to test for each, and how to manage these issues both in the context of rehabilitation and training around them.
This guest blog comes from current Cressey Performance Intern, Chris Pothier.
When Eric asked me to present on the topic of stealing second base, I thought "Easy, how hard could this be?" Little did I know that I was entering the ultimate battle royal of baseball movement techniques. One side says the cross-over step is the 'end all be all," while the directional step folks insist that their style is far superior. Who is right and who is wrong?
With research and countless hours watching Grey's Anatomy clips of guys stealing bases on YouTube...I came to one rather unusual conclusion. Now, I have not coached thousands, hundreds or even a hand full of players' base stealing technique, or written an E-Book on the "how to." Rather, I was asked a question and I've researched and have placed my own opinion on the matter. You can agree or disagree with me; I won't lose sleep either way.
Here is a run-down on both techniques; both share the same 3-points on set-up technique:
1. Feet slightly wider than shoulders, keeping a positive shin angle back to either base.
2. Knees flexed 110-120 degrees with shoulders over toes to keep weight on balls of feet.
3. Hands out in front of hips, creating a shorter distance the arms have to travel and a shot lever arm which allows for faster positioning of the arms.
Cross-Over Step
1. Driving that left leg across your body, towards second base, landing slightly in front of your right.
2. As you rotate your torso, you square up to second base with your hips at the same time driving that left leg to full extension, creating your power. Left arm drives with cross-over step, followed by a quick right arm drive to initiate arm/leg synchronization.
3. Left arm drives with cross-over step, followed by a quick right arm drive to initiate arm/leg synchronization.
Directional Step
1. First step, initiate drive with left leg, to get hips and shoulders over right (power) foot.
2. Then externally rotate and step back 6-8" with right leg.
3. At this point, left knee drive towards chest, right arm drive, positive angles on both shins, toes toward second base, ankles dorsiflexed and torso square to second base.
4. Drive to full extension in right leg with left arm drive.
I've realized we could sit here and argue that the cross-over step doesn't allow you to clear your right leg with your left foot since you don't rotate first, or you waste time stepping backward with your right foot in the directional step. That's not the purpose here. Research from Reed et al, showed over two steps, the directional step resulted in significantly greater distance traveled, however it took significantly more total time than the cross over step, which covered less distance but quicker in two steps. This shows nearly identical velocities and there is no advantage over the other. On the other hand, a study by Ostarello et al tested three start methods and at all six timing stations; set at different distances, the cross over step was quicker (note from EC: we teach the crossover step to all beginners, but never interfere with guys who have been doing the directional step for an extended period of time, especially if they have had good success with it).
In my opinion, and I like to look at the bigger picture, there are too many variables that play into base stealing to pin one way against the other. You have to consider everything that goes into base stealing: lead, reading the pitcher, pitcher's deception, reaction time, individual speed/power, sliding technique , catcher's pop time, etc.
Here are some stats;
Jacoby Ellsbury- Career 129 SB; 70 SB 2009; 3 full seasons; Directional Step
Ichiro Suzuki-Career 342 SB; high of 56; 9 full seasons; Cross-Over step
In conclusion, if you have been directional stepping for six years, don't change. If you are just learning a technique, try both, go with what feels more comfortable and what can be coached easily. Base stealing is an art that takes mastering many small components to be successful. It's like saying who is better looking: Megan Fox or Jessica Alba...........exactly.
For more information or to contact Chris, check out his blog.
Related PostsProper Sprinting Warm-upsPreseason Precautions for Baseball
Just a quick heads-up on where some of the Cressey Performance minor league guys are winding up to start the season. If you're in their neck of the woods, get out and show 'em some love at your local ballpark.
Tim Kiely - (Little Rock) Arkansas (Angels AA) - Opening Day Starter Tonight
Jim Fuller - Savannah (Mets Low A)
Chad Rodgers - Myrtle Beach (Braves High A)
Will Inman - Portland (Oregon - Padres AAA)
Tim Collins - (Manchester) New Hampshire (Blue Jays AA)
Steffan Wilson - Huntsville (Alabama - Brewers AA)
Steve Cishek - Jupiter (Florida - Marlins High A)
Cory Riordan - Tulsa (Rockies AA)
Anthony Seratelli - Northwest Arkansas (Royals AA)
Kevin Pucetas - Fresno (Giants AAA) - Opening Day Starter Tonight
Shawn Haviland - Stockton (California - A's High A) - Opening Day Starter Tonight
Benji Johnson - Mississippi Braves (AA)
Craig Albernaz - Durham Bulls (Rays AAA)
Chad Jenkins - Lansing Lugnuts (Blue Jays Low A)
Kevin Nolan - Lansing Lugnuts (Blue Jays Low A)
We also have quite a few younger guys in extended spring training who will be assigned to short-season teams in a few months - or (hopefully) play their way up to A-ball teams.
Good luck, guys!
Many baseball fans thought that it was a bit inappropriate of President Obama to wear a Chicago White Sox hat as he threw out the opening pitching at the Washington Nationals game several years ago. However, many others - including those of us on the baseball development side of things - overlooked this fashion faux pas, and instead pointed out that the commander-in-chief's throwing mechanics closely paralleled those of an 11-year-old girl.
Now that I've irritated a good chunk of my readership, please allow me to explain.
We are all born with a certain amount of humeral retroversion. For the lay population out there, think of retroversion as a bony positioning that allows for more shoulder external rotation. As we age, we actually gradually lose retroversion (gain anteversion); this process moves the most quickly from ages 8-13, which isn't surprising, as this is when kids rapidly become more skeletally mature. It's why we see more torn ACLs than broken bones in the late teenage years; the bones are no longer the path of least resistance.
However, we actually see something different in kids who are involved in overhead throwing sports during this crucial developmental period. They don't gain anteversion as quickly in their throwing shoulder; in other words, they preserve at lot of the bony positioning that gives rise to external rotation (the lay-back position), which in itself is a predictive factor for throwing velocity. Very simply, it's easier for them to get their arm back to throw because the bones (specifically, the proximal humeral epiphysis) have morphed to allow for it. There's even a theory out there that this bony positioning actually spares the anterior-inferior glenohumeral ligaments from excessive stress during external rotation, but that's a topic for another day (and president?).
How much of a difference are we talking? Well, in a study of 54 college pitchers, Reagan et al. found that had 36.6° of humeral retroversion, as compared with just 26° in non-dominant shoulders. Here's our fearless leader throwing a cream puff from a different angle at a previous All-Star Game; you'll notice that he leads with the elbow and his arm doesn't "lay back" - a technique we've come to term "throwing like a girl," as politically incorrect as it is. Think he could use an additional 10° of shoulder external rotation?
The good news, however, is that he's in good company; Mariah Carey has sold hundreds of millions of albums and rocks a 12-foot palmball, too.
We can't fault these folks (well, maybe for their attire, but that, too, is another blog post), as females traditionally haven't had exposure to baseball at young ages in order to develop these osseous (bony) adaptations that favor throwing hard. And, with just a little reconnaissance work on President Obama, I quickly came across this quote from him in the NY Daily News: "I did not play organized baseball when I was a kid, and so, you know, I think some of these natural moves aren't so natural to me." There's your answer.
Contrast his delivery with that of George W. Bush, who not only played baseball as a kid, but actually owned the Texas Rangers for a while, and you'll see what a few years in Little League will do for a shoulder.
Interestingly, the Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at Bush actually displayed some decent lay-back, too. It makes me wonder if he was born with some congenital laxity, played cricket or tennis, or just practiced a ton for his first international shoe-throwing appearance (cap?).
As an interesting little aside, in our Optimal Shoulder Performance, Mike Reinold talks about how European soccer players have actually served as the control group against which we can compare overhead throwing shoulders in research, as these athletes are the same age and gender as baseball pitchers, but rarely participate in overhead throwing sports. So, perhaps we should say "throw like a European soccer player" instead of "throw like a girl" - particularly since more and more female athletes have started participating in overhead throwing sports at a younger age!
However, in the interim, what can President Obama do to get over this hurdle? It goes without saying that it's too late to get that retroversion, as he's already skeletally mature. However, there is research out there that shows that pitchers gain external rotation over the course of a competitive season - so President Obama would be wise to get out in the rose garden and play some catch because, you know, presidents have plenty of time to do that!
Likewise, there are several things he could do to improve his pitching-specific mobility. The most important thing is to avoid spending so much time hunched over a desk, as being stuck in this position will shorten the pectoralis major and minor, lats, subscapularis, and several other small muscles that need adequate length and tissue quality to get the arm "back" via good humeral external rotation, scapular posterior tilt, and thoracic spine extension/rotation. To keep it simple, I'd probably just have him do a lot of the side-lying extension-rotation drill:
Of course, there's a lot more to it than just this, but these quick modifications would be a good start. For more information, check out our new Optimal Shoulder Performanceresource, which is on sale for 20% off through the end of the day today. Just enter the coupon code 20OFF to get the discount.
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A while back, I sent off an email to my good friend Alwyn Cosgrove about our Optimal Shoulder Performance DVD set, and he asked me what I thought were the three most important things that folks - from fitness professionals to regular ol' weekend warriors - ought to know with respect to the shoulder. Here were the first concepts that came to mind:
1. You should NEVER be intimidated when you hear/see the words "rotator cuff tear" or "labral tear."
Why? Because if you are training clients, you are absolutely, positively already training people who have these issues but are 100% asymptomatic. Some interesting research:
Miniaci et al. (2003) found that 79% of professional baseball pitchers - the people who put the most stress on their shoulders on the planet - actually had "abnormal labrum" features. They concluded that "magnetic resonance imaging of the shoulder in asymptomatic high performance throwing athletes reveals abnormalities that may encompass a spectrum of 'nonclinical' findings."
Meanwhile, rotator cuff tears often go completely unnoticed. Sher et al. (1995) took MRIs on the shoulders of 96 asymptomatic subjects, and found cuff tears in 34% of cases, and 54% of those older than 60. Meanwhile, another Miniaci study (1995) found ZERO completely normal rotator cuffs in those under the age of 50 out of a sample size of 30 shoulders.
What's my point? Both the people who are in pain AND those who have absolutely no pain can have disastrous looking shoulder MRIs. So, in many cases, it is something other than just the structural deficit that causes certain people to experience pain. To me, that difference is how they move.
A torn labrum may become symptomatic in a thrower with poor shoulder internal rotation. Or, a partial thickness cuff tear my reach the pain threshold in a lifter who doesn't have adequate scapular stability.
In short, a MRI report doesn't tell you everything there is to know about a shoulder - and you need to assume that a lot of your clients are already jacked up.
2. When assessing a shoulder, everything starts with total motion. In healthy shoulders, total motion - which comes from adding internal rotation and external rotation - should be the same on the right and left side. This "arc" may occur in a different place on each shoulder, but as long as it's symmetrical from side-to-side, you're off to a good start - and that's when you work further down the chain to see what's going on with scapula stability, thoracic spine mobility, etc.
3. 100% of all shoulder problems involve scapular dysfunction. The interaction of the glenoid fossa of the scapula (socket) and humeral head (ball) is what allows the glenohumeral joint (shoulder) to do what it needs to do. However, most individuals have some form of shortness (e.g., pec minor, levator scapulae) or weakness (e.g., serratus anterior, lower trapezius) of muscles working on the scapula. These inefficiencies alter glenohumeral alignment and increases stress on the rotator cuff, biceps tendon, labrum, and glenohumeral ligaments. Identifying and addressing scapular issues is a key step in preventing shoulder pain.
For more information, check out the Optimal Shoulder Performance DVD set.Sign-up Today for our FREE Newsletter and receive a four-part video series on how to deadlift!
This guest blog comes from current Cressey Performance intern, Sam Leahey.Preface
A qualification needs to be made first. This debate often times confuses people because they don't take the time to qualify what exactly they're discussing. The overriding issue here is on the use of exercise or conditioning circuits in training to develop "mental toughness" and/or "work capacity." Both capacities are actually pretty different scientifically and practically, but too often get thrown into the same conversation. When we talk about using exercise or conditioning "circuits" in the weight room, most coaches rationale for using them is rooted in one of three things:
1) To build "mental toughness" in the athletes
2) To build "work capacity" in the athletes
3) To build both.
I want to be clear here that this article will focus solely on thoughts regarding the first rationale and not the others. This if for clarity's sake, brevity, and quality of analysis. In future blogs, I hope to delve into the other two reasons why coaches/trainers program conditioning circuits and whether or not it has value and/or a desired training effect.
Before you continue reading, I'd pose the title of this article to you again and ask that you take a moment to think about your answer - can YOU develop mental toughness of YOUR athletes using circuit training in your programs?
What is "Mental Toughness"?
The first thing we need to establish is what "mental toughness" really is. Defining the term alone could be another endless debate, so let's keep things neutral and use good ol' dictionary.com as our trusted resource:
Type in the term "mental toughness" and the search comes up empty.
Hmm, this has implications. It seems that the term "mental toughness" as a whole is abstract and inherently debatable because there is no established definition in the dictionary. Disagree with me? If so, then I'd point you to the example of the term "Mc Job", which is a term referring to a service industry job that is unstimulating, pays low wages, and offers few benefits. At one point "Mc Job" was an abstract concept just like the term "mental toughness" currently is. It wasn't until enough people settled on its terms that it went from being abstract to a concrete reality which is definable and published in the dictionary itself, see:
Mc Job
- 2 dictionary results
Mc - Job [muh k-job]
-noun
an unstimulating, low-wage job with few benefits, esp. in a service industry.
So, in the same sense, I think the term "mental toughness" will take much longer (if ever) to reach a state of clear and accepted definition. Continuing on, though, what we can establish here is that the words "mental" and "toughness" are separately definable:
Men·tal
m?n tl/ Show Spelled[men-tl]
-adjective1. of or pertaining to the mind: mental powers; mental suffering.
2. of, pertaining to, or affected by a disorder of the mind: a mental patient; mental illness.
3. providing care for persons with disordered minds, emotions, etc.: a mental hospital.
4. performed by or existing in the mind: mental arithmetic; a mental note.
5. pertaining to intellectuals or intellectual activity.
6. Informal. slightly daft; out of one's mind; crazy: He's mental.
-noun7. Informal. a person with a psychological disorder: a fascist group made up largely of mentals.
Tough
Spelled [tuhf],adjective,-er, -est,adverb, noun, verb-adjective1. strong and durable; not easily broken or cut.
2. not brittle or tender.
3. difficult to masticate, as food: a tough steak.
4. of viscous consistency, as liquid or semiliquid matter: tough molasses.
5. capable of great endurance; sturdy; hardy: tough troops.
6. not easily influenced, as a person; unyielding; stubborn: a tough man to work for.
7. hardened; incorrigible: a tough criminal.
8. difficult to perform, accomplish, or deal with; hard, trying, or troublesome: a tough problem.
9. hard to bear or endure (often used ironically): tough luck.
10. vigorous; severe; violent: a tough struggle.
11. vicious; rough; rowdyish: a tough character; a tough neighborhood.
12. practical, realistic, and lacking in sentimentality; tough-minded.
13. Slang. remarkably excellent; first-rate; great.
-adverb14. in a tough manner.
-noun15. a ruffian; rowdy.
Combining the first two definitions we could say that "mental toughness" via dictionary.com is a strong, durable, non-tender mind capacity or functioning. So now we have a theoretical foundation from which we can work - and we again arrive at the initial debate: can this "mental toughness" be developed by strength and conditioning coaches using forms of circuit training with their athletes?
Acute vs. Chronic
Here are some classic examples that coaches and trainers (both good and bad) who subscribe to the theory "you can develop mental toughness through circuit training" use in practice. . .
(Each exercise done for 1 minute each, circuit done 2-3 times)(*AMRAP - as many reps as possible)
"Death Circuit Saturdays"
- Overhead MedBall Slam (AMRAP)
- Tire Flips (20 yards)
- Overhead Sledgehammer Tire Hits (AMRAP)
- Pushups (AMRAP)
- Farmer's Walk (25yards down and back)
- Rotational MedBall Throws (AMRAP)
- Vertical Jump (AMRAP)
"Meat-Head Monday"
- Barbell Bench Press (225lbs x AMRAP)
- Barbell Back Squat (315lbs x AMRAP)
- Pull-Up (BW x AMRAP)
- Conventional Deadlift (315 x AMRAP)
- Chest Supported T-Bar Row (70lbs x AMRAP)
"Functional Friday"
- Single-Leg Box Squats (AMRAP)
- 1 Arm TRX Inverted Row (AMRAP)
- Front Plank
- Standing 1 Arm Cable Press (AMRAP)
- Side Plank
- Walking Lunges with Overhead DB Press (AMRAP)
- 1 Arm Chin-Up (AMRAP)
"Strong-Man Monday"
- Farmers Walk (30yards down and back)
- Seated Rope Pull (20yard rope connected to weighted sled - pull to you once)
- Prowler Sled Pushes (30yards down and back)
- Giant Log Lift (AMRAP in 2 minutes)
With this list of random circuits in mind, now let's talk about how and when strength and conditioning coaches implement these circuits into their program(s). If you've been around collegiate strength and conditioning for any amount of time, you'll know these circuits usually get placed at the end or beginning of a training week and sometimes at the end of a training cycle. In the private sector of the strength and conditioning profession (training facilities), there isn't that much separation from that either. You'll find these circuits being sprinkled in to the clients (athletes) programs. The biggest point to consider here is that whenever circuit training is used it's almost never done continually, 100% of the time; it's always used sparingly while the bulk of the training is more traditional.
Conclusion - The Carryover
Imagine if you yourself or an athlete you know did one of the above circuits. How would you feel? It'd be pretty tough wouldn't it? If I told you that you were going to do it again next week, you would be mentally prepared for it, wouldn't you? After doing it every Friday for two months, would you have mentally adapted to the stimulus and find it less of a mental struggle each time? Of course! However, what happens every other day of the week when you don't have that stimulus present? Are you still as "mentally tough" throughout the week as you are on Friday when you are near puking your brains out and have a coach scream at you and blowing whistles? Even more relevant is the perspective of adding up those single exposure circuit days and compare them to all the days in the off-season and in-season you're not doing a circuit. Which of the two sums has the most potential for developing ANYTHING for that matter?
In other words, being "mentally tough" is a LIFESTYLE - NOT A SINGLE EXPOSURE TO SOME DEATH CIRCUIT ONCE A WEEK OR ONCE A MONTH!
Are we forgetting the fact that many collegiate teams implement these circuits to only end up with losing seasons? Meanwhile, on the other hand, you have teams doing the same death circuits and getting to the championship. Did one team not do enough "death circuits" and needed more exposures so they can reach post season play? Or, did the team who reached the championship lead a mentally tough lifestyle off the field/court/ice and not just get "psyched up" for a death circuit once a week or month?
True athletic team success is the result of all the little things added up throughout the week that culminate on game day, not just a mental victory once and while over some weight room circuit.
It's performing every exercise in the weight room with perfect technique that fosters CHRONIC mental toughness in athletes. It's not accepting lousy technique for the sake of putting more weight on the bar that makes the athlete mentally tough.
It's showing up to train on time, every time, over the course of the entire macrocycle that gives us sustainable and reproducible mental toughness that carries over into team chemistry and cohesiveness.
It's going through the full warm-up without skipping steps just so you can get on to lifting heavy weights quicker.
It's only doing the prescribed number of reps and sets that's your given and not letting an athlete do his/her own thing.
It's not missing workouts or having athlete find excuses not to come in and train because it's a "light day" or "regeneration day".
It's a culture, not a single event!
Living a mentally tough lifestyle is what produces long term athletic success. If you want your athletes to reach their full mental potential and, in turn, athletic potential, then find ways to change their LIFESTYLE instead of getting them "psyched up" for your weightroom circuit you worked so hard to design. Furthermore, the mental toughness lifestyle you cultivate in your weight room can carry over into the rest of their lives as well whereas some weekly circuit cannot.
If you develop a culture of mentally tough athletes in your weight room via the little things, their ability to reproduce that (which is the whole point, anyway) can certainly be carried over into the way they approach the sport skills practice and whatnot. If they're showing up to the weight room on time, every time, how much more likely will they be to show up for practice on time, every time? If they're habitually not cutting corners in the weight room and choosing to not take the easy way out, will they make the same decisions on the field/court/ice where they know it has more direct carry over to game day?
You can see that the evolution of leading a mentally tough lifestyle eventually can translate into habitual changes in personal character and discipline. I struggle to see how a weekly circuit or once a month event can have even a remotely similar effect. It is the responsibility of the coach to instill this aforementioned mentally tough lifestyle through cultivated weight room culture.
So the argument is essentially a fundamental disagreement, but I think the answer is quite clear. Even though the term "mental toughness" lacks a true definition, can we as coaches instill what most would agree on as "mental toughness" in our athletes via the weight room? The answer is "yes," but it's not through doing "death circuits." Doing things habitually RIGHT breeds a lifestyle that makes you mentally tough. This chronic mental toughness cannot be accomplished with a sparingly used weight room circuit of exercises.
The Exception
I wrote this article/blog knowing full well that someone out there would come up with the question:
"What if I have my athletes do circuit training EVERY time we train then, for an entire off-season. This way we're getting the "mental toughness" stimulus constantly. Would that work?"
In response, I would say there is only one man I know of on the entire planet who was inherently ingenious enough to implement circuit training EVERY SINGLE WORKOUT and still not have his athletes overtraining. This way, they were constantly pushing the mental envelope and eventually they went from being a good team to the winning the national championship of college hockey. The strength coach's name is Michael Boyle.
Unless you have the ingenious capability of....
- engineering circuit training day in and day out for an ENTIRE off-season,
- having no one get injured doing so,
- have most everyone on the team get stronger,
- and most importantly find a way to have these mentally tough workouts carry over into the players habitual lifestyles,
....then I suggest you don't even both trying. If you've read the book Outliers you'll understand there's only one Mike Boyle for a reason and you're NOT him.
For the rest of us, I think it's best to stick to the above rationale if we want develop true mental toughness in our athletes that will last a lifetime of athletic competition.
Sam Leahey, CSCS can be contacted at sam.leahey@gmail.com.
I'm about to head out to go to Fenway Park for the season-opening Red Sox vs. Yankees game. So, with the baseball season officially underway, I thought it'd be good to kick this week off with a collection of baseball-related recommended reading material. Of course, you can certainly always find plenty of great stuff on the Baseball Content Page here at EricCressey.com. That said, here are just a few personal favorite articles that I've written (it was tough to just pick a few, as I love writing about this stuff!):
Crossfit for BaseballDeveloping Young Pitchers the Safe WayRisk-Reward in Training PitchersWeighted Baseballs: Safe and Effective or Stupid and Dangerous?
And a few baseball books that I'd highly recommend:
License to Deal (great look at the sports agent/representation industry)
